Valentine’s Day

Feb 15.09

This is our first 2-show day. I’m kinda tired so I will take my nap soon before the evening show. Last night my dear friends from the past–Laurel Lyle and David Hodges saw the show and came back stage.  David was the director of the Laurel Springs Children’s Camp that my husband, Tom Hayden, and I ran in California for 15 years. Laurel is an actress who for many years was my stand-in and played small parts in a number of my movies. It was very special having them see the show. They were deeply affected by it. They came baring a basket of 33 cookies for the cast and crew, baked and beautifully decorated by their daughter Kate (one of my goddaughters. Her sister, Tess, is another one). Everyone has been commenting on how good they are.

laurel-lyle-david-hodges

Then I went to dinner with Robin Morgan and her musician son, Blake Morgan. They are both highly intelligent and talented. As a child in the fifties, Robin was the actor who played Dagmar in the hugely popular TV series, “I Remember Mama.” Robin was second only to Shirley Temple as a nationally popular child star. She is known now as a writer, a poet and the editor who created the historic feminist anthologies “Sister is Powerful,” Sisterhood is Global” and “Sisterhood is Forever.”

Both Robin and Blake were shaken by the play. At dinner Robin said to me, “It is so rare that you see any public honoring of the process of art, the cost of the process of art.” Blake was stunned by the parallels between Beethoven’s dilemmas and those of musicians today. A character from the 1800s in the play says “They’ve outlawed dancing so we can’t sell sheet music.” Blake pointed out that today this translates into “They’re copying our music so we can’t sell music itself!!” He went on to say that “Throughout history, musicians are always more interested in the high note than the bottom line.” What a good line! It made him feel less alone when the play reminded him that Beethoven struggled with these same financial pressures.

Moises didn’t come to the matinee which is understandable…he needs to rest and reclaim the fresh eyes that will allow him to see his play anew. Still, I have to admit that I felt bereft knowing he wasn’t there. He’ll be there tonight though. I’m glad. My friend and columnist, Roger Friedman, is also coming tonight and Pat Mitchell’s coming—again. She asked her husband, Scott Seydel, what he wanted to do for Valentine’s Day and he said, “See Jane’s show.” (He was away the other night when Pat saw it). Here’s a bit of trivia: Scott’s from Atlanta and his son, Rutherford Seydel, is married to Ted Turner’s daughter, Laura. Their three children are grandchildren to me, Scott and Pat.

See you next time.


22 Responses to “Valentine’s Day”

  1. Jeffrey says:
    February 15, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Love the blog, such great insight for the theater going fan. I have always wondered about the whole process of performing night after night, changes to shows as they develop and how performers keep it fresh night after night. I came to the show last night and loved it. Very moving. I think you have a hit and a TONY on your hands. Thanks for signing my Playbill, what a great thrill to meet you.
    Jeffrey Manning

  2. Matthew DeCoster says:
    February 15, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    As someone who was 12 in 1977, gay and had a father who taught in a CA public high school, I just wanted to thank you for your activism. In particular your work with Harvey against Prop 6. And your speech on voter registration at Peace Sunday, the first concert I was allowed to attend.

    Break a leg, I can’t wait to see the play!

    Matthew DeCoster

  3. Angela says:
    February 15, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Dear Jane. How glad am I to know from a friend who works at Random House that you ar blogging! I´ve written you a huge letter last year. Hope you´ve received it. I´ve sent to Random House.
    All my loving, from your brazilian biggest fan!

  4. Janice says:
    February 15, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    Hello Jane, Saw the afternoon Valentine’s Day show with my husband and we both just loved it. You are fabulous. Just wish my Mom and Dad were still around to have accompanied us!

  5. Marilyn says:
    February 15, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    If there’s one thing life has taught me as I’ve grown older, it’s the belief in 6 degrees of separation (re your grandchildren connection, etc.) This big ol’ world is truly a pretty small place. As the mate of a musician, I can attest that the best ones I know are indeed representative of your friend’s line…the high note always wins.

  6. wolynski says:
    February 15, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    What an incredibly good blog – I LOVE reading it. I live in Vegas, so I won’t be seeing your play, but this is the next best thing. You only have nice things to say about everyone, which makes you unique in the blogging world – not an ounce of rancor.

    I’ve admired you since the Vietnam thing, not to mention your incredible acting. You stood up for something, took a lot of blows and still look at the world with a loving, curious gaze, seeing wonder all around.

    Good luck.

  7. Karen DeAngelis says:
    February 16, 2009 at 12:51 am

    What a thrill to see you in a broadway show. Fantastic!
    Thanks for sharing you with us.

  8. Marsha Keeffer, Silicon Valley, CA says:
    February 16, 2009 at 12:57 am

    The comment on the cost of art made me think about all the rehearsals, practice, lessons, etc. that you’ve taken in service to your art. Many thanks for all those hours.

  9. B. Roan says:
    February 16, 2009 at 8:28 am

    Unfortunately, I live in middle-of-nowhere America, so won’t get to see your show, but it was nice to see your interview with Meredith. I agree with your comments about retirement. I’m happy to have found your blog. B.

  10. Dianne says:
    February 16, 2009 at 8:43 am

    I saw you on the Today show this morning. I have followed your career for many years. I have to say you are a true inspiration. I have applied for a part time job in addition to a full time job and have been wondering how am I going to work all those hours at the age of 63. After hearing what you are doing at 71 and knowing how tiring a play can be, I now know that I can do this. Good Luck!!

  11. Zachary says:
    February 16, 2009 at 9:44 am

    I echo Wolynski’s sentiments, too.

    This dysfunctional and crazy world is ineed a much better place due to your altruism and marvelous acting talent. You are an amazing person.

    Three-years ago Charis Bookstore, a lesbian and feminist bookstore in Atlanta, sponsored “An Evening With Jane Fonda.” I’ll always remember that evening, because you were larger than life and so entertaining. Your references to lipstick were so funny.

    At the time you were not very mobile due to hip surgery, and walking was difficult even with your crutches. I’m sure most celebrities would have cancelled out due this major inconvenience. But not Jane Fonda.

    Good luck with your new venture and I look forward to reading your next book. Of course reading your blog, too.

  12. maximum light says:
    February 16, 2009 at 10:16 am

    This is such an enthralling blog — love your writing style. I feel like I’m there!

  13. Pamela Pare says:
    February 16, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Hi Jane,
    Just saw you on the Today Show. ..You looked fabulous. Just wanted to applaud you for seeking adventure in your life at 71. My husband and I sold our home 2 years ago after retiring from 34 years of teaching. After raising our daughter and staying close to our parents for all those years, we bought an RV and we are now traveling the US. We are having the time of our lives!! Way to go girl and break a leg…:)

  14. carole says:
    February 16, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Hi Ms. Fonda:
    I just watched you on the Today show; you are always gracious and intelligent! I will be 60 next month and my 3 adult daughters are always amazed I am continually going on a new adventure : ). My blog friends think it is cool. My Mom is soon to be 100 and she always asks me “where do you live now?”
    Continue your life’s adventure while enjoying it all. I live in Los Angeles so I am unable to see you on Broadway (I work).
    Peace
    carole

  15. Laurie says:
    February 16, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Bravo Jane!

    Just saw you on the today show. Beautiful, intelligent, talented and classy….you continue to raise the bar for actors to aspire to.

    Thanks for sharing your journal. It is a pleasure to read.

    Congratulations on your success on Broadway!

  16. sharron says:
    February 16, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    Jane,
    I’ve been faithfully reading your blog, because I had tickets to the 2/13 show. I loved this production, even though it’s not finished yet. As a preview, it sucked me in with a huge slurp and made me think like crazy for the entire evening.

    I had one problem with the production, though. Why did we need to see your breasts? Why did we need to see your “daughter’s” naked upper body? Honestly – I felt that including partial nudity did nothing to enhance the characters OR the play. In fact, I believe that it wasn’t necessary at all (even though your fabulous boobs look terrific). We don’t see any of the male characters’ body parts…do we? So why add this element to the women characters to sidetrack us from an otherwise gripping, serious, emotionally draining play?

    FYI: I had trouble hearing you (I was in the 3rd row, center, by the way) for the first part of the first act. I was told afterwards that there was something off about the sound. As Phil Silvers said in one of my favorite old shows, “Harry, speak up.”

    I am so happy that this play exists. I’m such a Moises Kauffman-lover. Also, the creative, brilliant sets that enhanced this play (and I Am My Own Wife, which had an equally phenomenal set), made me feel so incredibly involved in the past and present of this play’s changing timeline.

  17. debra severson says:
    February 16, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Dear Ms. Fonda,

    Thank you for allowing us an inside perspective on the process and vulnerability required to bring a Broadway production to life. I am a long time admirer, having been moved by so many of your terrific performances, such as in Julia, Coming Home, Stanley and Iris, Barefoot in the Park, On Golden Pond to name a few. I also read your autobiography, which was very inspirational to me.

    I’ve never read anyone’s blog before, but decided to read yours after seeing you on the Today Show this morning. As with everything else you take on, it was well worth the time…I read all of them today. Thank you for your courage, your willingness to expose your life with all its ups and downs, and your exemplary image of a woman who is a total professional and extremely intelligent and committed to her craft.

    I hope to get to Broadway to see your show, but like everyone else, it may be too expensive for me. If I don’t, I at least know through your blog how much you’ve given to this production and how fortunate the theatre is blessed to have you back.

    Best of luck (and I LOVE your dog)!

    DS

  18. Joanne says:
    February 16, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Dear Jane,
    I grew up next door to your dad and Shirley on Chalon. I saw you on the Today show and saw the love in your eyes as you spoke of your father. I just wanted to tell you that he was the kindest neighbor a young girl could have. I was in 4th grade when we moved next door and he would have my sister and I over to swim, he’d take me around his “farm” and pick berries and talk about himself…he was just your average celebrity farmboy! Shirley took us to see tapings of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Odd Couple” when your brother and his kids were there, and your dad even agreed when my sister asked him to be in her 5th grade film where he played a thief stealing a bag of jewels. I adored your father, his gentle nature, his great stories, and his amazing kindness to two preteen girls who just happen to live next door.

  19. Gary C. Marshall says:
    February 16, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    I saw “33 Variations” Saturday at the Matinee, and I thought you were great, and you handled the cane and walker just like someone who had the disease. It was just so convincing. And I have to say you had a really great supporting cast, and Diane Walsh was fabulous on the piano….Congratulations, and lots of warm hugs….

  20. Meg says:
    February 16, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    The Today show brought me here as well. Congratulations on your adventure to Broadway. I hope that I can make it up there to see your performance. You have been an inspiration to me as a woman since I was a little girl. Thank you for all your contributions. Your Dad would be proud.
    God Bless!

  21. Zachary says:
    February 16, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    In reference to Gary C. Marshall’s comment, I would hazard a guess that Jane’s hip surgery and subsequent dependence on crutches for walking was indeed a good learning experience for her role in “33 Variations.”

  22. Elizabeth says:
    February 20, 2009 at 12:33 am

    Tickets to this evening’s performance were my husband’s Valentines Day present to me and we were very excited to see the show and you in it. And then the next day I happened to see a link to your blog, so I’ve been catching up.

    We very much enjoyed the performance–what an immense challenge for an actor: emotionally, physically and technically. You looked fantastic! One of our seatmates commented that none of his music professors ever looked nearly that good. But equally impressive was the degree to which you did disappear into the role.

    As the Artistic Director of a community theatre myself, it is always fascinating to read about others’ rehearsal processes. Thank you very much for sharing this with us.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Category: Film, Television & Theater, My Blog

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


| More

Film, Television & Theater

  • "At age 50, I broke all the career rules and left acting for 15 years. Ten of those years I was married to Ted Turner and after that I spent 5 years writing my memoirs and traveling the world on behalf of women and girls. Needless to say, returning to my profession late in life has been an interesting, exciting and unusual experience! "Monster-in-Law" was my first film after this hiatus and was one of my most fun professional experiences after "9 to 5"! During my 15 year absence, I gained confidence and, as a result, I feel that my acting is better, more nuanced and relaxed than ever."